High temperature wheels for inspection robots

Abstract

High temperature wheels for inspection robots are described. An example wheel may have a plurality of wheel enclosures with a plurality of inter-covers interposed between the plurality of wheel enclosures. The example wheel may have a magnetic hub including a high temperature magnet, the magnetic hub being interposed between a first wheel enclosure of the plurality of wheel enclosures and a second wheel enclosure of the plurality of wheel enclosures. Each of the plurality of inter-covers is structured to guide a magnetic field of the magnetic hub.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A wheel for a drive module of an inspection robot, comprising:
 a plurality of wheel enclosures; 
 a plurality of inter-covers each axially interposed between at least one of the plurality of wheel enclosures and a magnetic hub; and 
 the magnetic hub including a high temperature magnet, the magnetic hub being interposed between a first wheel enclosure of the plurality of wheel enclosures and a second wheel enclosure of the plurality of wheel enclosures, 
 wherein the plurality of inter-covers is structured to guide a magnetic field of the magnetic hub. 
 
     
     
       2. The wheel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wheel enclosures each comprise a non-ferrous material. 
     
     
       3. The wheel of  claim 2 , wherein the non-ferrous material comprises a metallic material. 
     
     
       4. The wheel of  claim 2 , wherein the non-ferrous material comprises aluminum. 
     
     
       5. The wheel of  claim 2 , wherein the non-ferrous material comprises zinc or bronze. 
     
     
       6. The wheel of  claim 2 , wherein the non-ferrous material comprises plastic. 
     
     
       7. The wheel of  claim 2 , wherein the non-ferrous material comprises a fluoroelastomer. 
     
     
       8. The wheel of  claim 2 , wherein the non-ferrous material comprises at least one of Poly Urethane (PU) or ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM). 
     
     
       9. The wheel of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic hub comprises a rare earth metal. 
     
     
       10. The wheel of  claim 5 , wherein the magnetic hub comprises a neodymium magnet. 
     
     
       11. The wheel of  claim 1 , where the plurality of inter-covers each comprise a carbon steel plate. 
     
     
       12. The wheel of  claim 11 , wherein each carbon steel plate comprises an anti-corrosion coating. 
     
     
       13. The wheel of  claim 12 , wherein the anti-corrosion coating comprises a zinc coating. 
     
     
       14. The wheel of  claim 1 , wherein the high temperature magnet comprises a temperature threshold greater than 300 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
       15. The wheel of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of diffusion barriers each axially interposed between at least one of the plurality of inter-covers and the magnetic hub, each of the plurality of diffusion barriers comprising at least one of a coating, a surface hardening, or a non-metallic cover. 
 
     
     
       16. A wheel for a drive module of an inspection robot, comprising:
 a plurality of wheel enclosures; 
 a plurality of inter-covers each interposed between at least one of the plurality of wheel enclosures and a magnetic hub; 
 a plurality of diffusion barriers each axially interposed between at least one of the plurality of inter-covers and the magnetic hub; and 
 the magnetic hub including a high temperature magnet, the magnetic hub being interposed between a first wheel enclosure of the plurality of wheel enclosures and a second wheel enclosure of the plurality of wheel enclosures, 
 wherein the plurality of inter-covers is structured to guide a magnetic field of the magnetic hub. 
 
     
     
       17. The wheel of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of diffusion barriers comprises at least one of a coating, a surface hardening, or a non-metallic cover. 
     
     
       18. The wheel of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of wheel enclosures each comprises a non-ferrous material. 
     
     
       19. The wheel of  claim 16 , wherein the magnetic hub comprises a rare earth metal. 
     
     
       20. The wheel of  claim 16 , where the plurality of inter-covers each comprises a carbon steel plate. 
     
     
       21. The wheel of  claim 16 , wherein the high temperature magnet comprises a temperature threshold greater than 300 degrees Fahrenheit.